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Photo#35410
Unknown wasp

Unknown wasp
Macomb Township, Macomb County, Michigan, USA
October 18, 2005
Size: 3-4 mm
This has rather thick legs and a greenish sparkle under the light. I've had multiple customers complain of stings from these. One got me a sample only after she had squished it on her arm and it was in 3 pieces. I don't see anything similar in the wasps on here, except for some of the parasitic ones. Anyone here know of wasps this size that are known to sting people?

Images of this individual: tag all
Unknown wasp Unknown wasp

Moved
Moved from Cleonyminae.

Torymidae
Venation reminds me of Monodontomerus.

Moved
Moved from Chalcidectinae.

Moved
Moved from Chalcid Wasps.

Moved
Moved from Chalcid Wasps.

 
This is not a Chalcididae. Th
This is not a Chalcididae. The metallic color and dorsally flatten body reminds me of Pteromalidae (Chalcidectinae).

Chalcididaeā€¦
The larger size, robust sculptured body, swollen hind femur with spines, and punctate head and thorax indicate this family.

See reference here.

Chalcidoid
This is clearly a stingless wasp in the Chalcidoidea. They are parasites of other insects, and generally considered highly beneficial, especially among organic gardeners. The "sting" is actually an ovipositor, what the female uses to lay her eggs with. She has no venom and relies simply on her hard exoskeleton for defense. Maybe human arms look like giant caterpillar hosts?:-)

 
That's so weird, because I ge
That's so weird, because I generally assume that a wasp that small is a parasitic wasp. Having two different customers find them inside and complain of bites had me rethinking.
Thanks for your help as always!

 
Biting Chalcids?
Never heard of Chalcid wasps biting people.

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